In a bustling community like ours, the reliability of essential services often goes unnoticed until a storm hits or the lights flicker unexpectedly. At a recent Today, Tomorrow, Together forum hosted by Roanoke Cooperative, Mr. Anthony Saunders took a moment to share his deep appreciation for the cooperative and reflect on the impactful initiatives that have left a lasting impression on him as a member-owner.
One of the standout moments from Mr. Saunders' heartfelt account was the Cooperative's ambitious "Ground to Sky" clearance project. With genuine enthusiasm, he recounted how this initiative significantly bolstered the reliability of our power grid. "The tree cutting, yeah, that was awesome," Mr. Saunders remarked. He vividly recalled how proactive measures to trim overhanging branches near power lines resulted in a remarkable 95% improvement in power stability during storms. "You can almost see through a storm now," he added, a testament to the foresight and effectiveness of Roanoke Cooperative's investment in infrastructure.
But it wasn't just infrastructure improvements that Mr. Saunders celebrated; it was also the personal touch and dedication of Roanoke Cooperative's service technicians that stood out to him. Reflecting on his interactions over the years with technicians like Carter Stallings, Corey Hayes, and Robbie Stallings, Mr. Saunders emphasized the profound impact these relationships have had during critical moments. "During one of the last holidays, our children had come in from Atlanta, brought our grandchildren, and we were in here having a ball," Mr. Saunders recalled with a smile. "All of a sudden, the lights went out. Okay, so we waited about 30 minutes, and I thought, 'Well, maybe somebody should call.'" Mr. Saunders chuckled as he remembered the interaction.
"I grabbed my cell phone and called Robbie. Honestly, I wasn't expecting him to pick up, but he did. I could hear the truck running in the background, and he said, 'Hey Mr. Saunders, how you doing?' I said, 'Fine.' I said, 'Well, I guess you know the lights are out around here.' He said, 'Matter of fact, I'm on my way to where I think the problem is.' I said, 'Okay, that's cool.' I said, 'Really, I didn't expect you to pick the phone up.' He said, 'No, I'm not there yet. I'm on my way.' He said, 'Well, I tell you what, if it's what I think it is, I'll probably have the lights back on in about 20 minutes.' Of course, you know, he said 20 minutes, I said hours." Mr. Saunders laughed warmly. "In the meantime, the grandchildren and everybody had flashlights and were running all around the house trying to keep things going. About 18 or 19 minutes after that conversation, the lights came back on. I texted him back and said, 'Thank you.' He texted me back a little smiley face."
Such anecdotes highlight not just the technical expertise but also the personal dedication of Roanoke Cooperative's staff—a hallmark of their commitment to community service and member-owner satisfaction.
Moreover, Mr. Saunders shared a compelling story about his own professional experience, underscoring the importance of thorough investigation before attributing issues to external factors. He recounted a situation where a homeowner's skyrocketing electricity bill was traced back to a simple yet critical wiring issue under the house—a problem swiftly rectified by diligent investigation and expertise. His advice resonates deeply: "As soon as something happens and a person’s light bill goes up, they are like, 'What is REA (Roanoke Cooperative) doing now? Why are their rates going up?' My suggestion to anybody is that if something changes all of a sudden, you’ve got a problem. Go check it out or have someone come out and check it before you start complaining about REA (Roanoke Cooperative)."
In essence, Mr. Saunders' narrative encapsulates a longstanding partnership built on trust, reliability, and community resilience. Through proactive initiatives like infrastructure upgrades and responsive member services, Roanoke Cooperative continues to strengthen its bond with members like Mr. Saunders, ensuring that our community remains resilient in the face of challenges.
As we look to the future, initiatives like the "Ground to Sky" project and the dedication of Roanoke Cooperative's staff serve as beacons of progress and reliability, fostering a community where every member-owner feels valued and supported.
In the words of Mr. Saunders himself, "It's been a good relationship with us and Roanoke." And indeed, it's partnerships like these that pave the way for a brighter, more connected future for our community.